Miss A Columnist

Katie McHenry

Katie McHenry moved from her native Houston, Texas, to the DC area in 2003 to begin a job at the U.S. Department of Commerce; despite planning to stay in Washington for just a year, she fell in love with the city and, a full decade later, hasn’t left. A Texas A&M graduate with a degree in journalism, her passions include writing, history, fundraising, animal rights and Egyptian belly dance. Katie prides herself on her nerdiness, as evidenced by her reputation as the walking encyclopedia of useless information. She lives in Old Town Alexandria with Mitzi the Cat, who provides daily inspiration for Katie's musings.
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Recap: Washington Humane Society’s Bark Ball 2013

BY
June 21st, 2013 Leave a comment
U.S. Chamber of Commerce table (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce table (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Hundreds of DC-area animal lovers and their four-legged dates turned out for the 26th annual Bark Ball on Saturday, June 8, at the Washington Hilton. The sold-out event raised money for the Washington Humane Society (WHS) via ticket sales and auction, and featured a reception, seated dinner, presentation, auction, dancing and gift bag.

Geared toward a different crowd than the WHS’s annual Fashion for Paws runway show, the Bark Ball is the city’s only black-tie event where guests are permitted – nay, encouraged – to bring their dogs. The most dapper canines take the attire specification quite literally; every year, dozens of four-legged dates wear black tie ensembles or sport fashionable hats, to the delight of the biped attendees.

This year’s event sponsors included Excel Services Corporation, DC London, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Exxon-Mobil, to name just a few; the Bark Bar – set up exclusively for canine guests – was provided by Northern Virginia dog bakery and pet sitting service Barkley Square, which even offers a pet taxi.
Kristina Robertson in Saks Fifth Avenue with Gabby the dog - barkleysquare.com (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Kristina Robertson in Saks Fifth Avenue with Gabby the dog – barkleysquare.com (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Finally, while the Bark Ball is geared toward dogs, WHS has not forgotten the felines: in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, cat adoptions at the Washington Humane Society are just $25 for the rest of the month.
Mikaela Meacham with Henry the pup and Brianna Michelle with dog Louis (Photo redit: Vivian Leslie)

Mikaela Meacham with Henry the pup and Brianna Michelle with dog Louis (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Dr. Katy Nelson and Scott Thuman - WJLA ABC 7 (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Dr. Katy Nelson and Scott Thuman – WJLA ABC 7 (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Sherman Glass, JR., Former President of ExxonMobil with wife Alana (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Cynthia Buffington in Tadashi with dog Lola and Matt Kayhoe (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Cynthia Buffington in Tadashi with dog Lola and Matt Kayhoe (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

Anissa Masters in Dolce and Gabanna brought her dog Georgia (Not pictured) with Giannine Alvarez in BCBG

Anissa Masters in Dolce and Gabanna brought her dog Georgia (Not pictured) with Giannine Alvarez in BCBG (Photo Credit: Vivian Leslie)

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